Friday, December 03, 2010

Yesterday around noon a brush fire started at the Carmel Mountains in Northern Israel. Within a few hours it became the largest fire disaster we have ever known. And it is not yet behind us. It is raging and moving forward, burning everything in it's path.

There is still no clear evidence as to what has caused the fire, though there are quite a few speculations that this was arsenal. The Carmel mountains, nicknamed The Ever Green mountains, are as black as the night. All burnt to ashes. But the biggest tragedy isn't the loss of so many acres of greenery (so far, about 4 million trees), or the loss of homes and property. This fire has taken lives with it. About 40 people lost their lives in a burning bus that got caught in the fire.

As I am writing this post the fire is still raging not too far from me. Only 45 minutes drive from here. There are many out there who are doing all they can to overcome the fire and put it out. Apart from the Israeli forces we are receiving great help from countries around us, including Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Russia, Greece, Cypress, Jordan, England, France, Italy, The US, and from our neighbors, the Palestinians.

Forest fires are such a tragedy and I've often wondered what type of sick mind would wish to start one. In the USA, California is always plagued by brush and forest fires, when they are caused by nature (such as lightening strikes) it's sad enough but when they are deliberately set by an arsonist it is sinful. Hope the blacken earth restores itself quickly.